Know More About Blood Cancer

As far as I remember, there were very few Indian movies in the 80’s without the mention of blood cancer.

It had a pivotal role in generating unconditional love to the protagonists. As dramatic as it is portrayed, blood cancer is a form of cancer which attacks the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system.

In general, this cancer is categorized into the following 3 kinds.

Leukemia – With spurt in the multiplicity of cancerous cells affecting either the marrow or the blood; the ability of the circulatory system to produce blood is severely impaired with.

Lymphoma- The cancerous formation affecting the lymphocytes is referred to as the lymphoma. Lymphocytes are one of the varieties of white blood corpuscles.

Myeloma – As part of myeloma, the plasma (another variety of WBC) is affected by the cancerous formation.

Symptoms

Leukemia marked by an acute destruction of health sustaining red blood cells includes the symptoms of anemia, weakness, and extreme fatigue. Consequently, one affected by it is likely to sweat and come under bouts of shortness of breath in course of performing day to day activities of the regular kind. Certain variety of leukemia is also associated with coughing, fatigue, fullness of abdomen and extreme fatigue. Itching, nausea and food aversion may also set in.

One of the most common symptoms of lymphoma includes swollen lymphatic node because this cancer essentially revolves around the lymphatic cells. The swelling is mostly painless in nature. Some of the other indications include loss of weight and appetite, fever, sudden bouts of chill and night sweating.

The initial stage of myeloma may well go free of symptoms. But with the gradual prognosis of the disease, there ought to be generic feel of fatigue, painful back, susceptibility to infection, shortness of breath, bouts of numbness and that of chest pain. Kidney problems are likely to develop on account of myeloma.

Stages

There are different yards sticks to distinguish blood cancer into different stages according to the symptoms of prognosis and rate of metastasis.

Chronic leukemia has four different phases. The first phase is marked by an enlarged presence of lymph nodes. This happens owing to the spurt in the count of lymphocytes. The risk level at this stage is intermediate because at this stage of prognosis, the cancer is yet to spread and affect other physical organs.

The second stage is marked by the enlarged presence of spleen as well as liver, in addition to that of the lymph nodes. If not both the organs, at least one of them apart from lymph nodes is affected at the second stage. There is a massive swing in the growth of lymphocytes. The risk level is still moderate.

The third stage is marked by the development of anemia. The aforementioned organs are still likely to remain swollen. In general two or more organs are likely to be affected at the third stage of cancerous development.

The fourth and last phase is marked by a drastic fall in the rate of blood platelets. In the last stage the cancerous development can also affect lungs besides the ones already affected. Anemia is likely to be more acute. Both the third as well as the last phase are more risky from the viewpoint of the sufferer.

Treatment

Other than chemo and radiotherapy, the conventional modes of treatment for blood cancer include attempts at stem cells and bone marrow transplantations.

Herbal Deals

Certain herbs, at least two varieties of herbs known by the names of ‘garcinia mangostana’ and ‘xanothenes’ have been found to be effective with respect of leukemia. The herbs and compounds based on them have reflected intrinsic potential of growth inhibiting features.

Antioxidants

It has commonly been observed that people, particularly kids, undergoing treatment for blood cancer, respond better to curative measures if there isn’t a drastic cut in the intensity of antioxidants. So, even with allopathic remedial options, it is important to go for a diet rich in greens and antioxidants, in order to add to the supportive base of the treatment.

Causes

It may run in the family. Heredity/family history is one of the likely factors making one more prone to blood cancer than those without family history.

Exposure to radiation and carcinogenic chemicals. These uncalled for exposures also add to the risk of developing blood cancer. Smoking is another incentive.

HIV Infection. Those infected by HIV all come under the risky demography prone to blood cancer.

Age group and blood cancer. Though it is probable amongst different age groups, the recently taken statistics point to the increased possibility amongst the older age groups.

Race and blood cancer. It has also been observed that whites are more susceptible to leukemia/blood cancer.

Prevention

In fact, nutrition and healthy living can go a long way in combating blood cancer. Instead of freaking out on dollops of sugar and that of dressed meat items, one ideally needs to fall back on the organic greens.

Avoiding the fad for junk food and going back on a nutritious platter with abundance of green can add to the prevention of blood cancer.

Dressed meat/fish items have been identified as one of the incentives to blood cancer. So, they need to be avoided as well.

Trans or saturated fat is congenial to the development of this dreaded disease. So together with dressed items and that of starch, one needs to go low in this category as well.

Eat, drink and breathe in fresh air.

Besides depending on a judicious blend of diet and rest, regularized regimen of exercise with abundant exposure to the unpolluted deals of natural fresh is another incentive to blood cancer prevention. Regularized schedule of exercising over a bare minimum period of half an hour can be pretty effective.

Strengthening immunity. It also pays because people immunologically strong are better capacitate in resisting diseases including blood cancer.

People diagnosed with blood cancer can work with an oncologist or a hematologist. Though blood cancer does not appear to be completely preventable, the risk seems to be reduced among people who eat a healthy diet, exercise, and maintain good mental health.

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Ethnic Health Court is all about Health.

Ethnic Health Court tries to convey health related issues, its solutions, and quality life style in a simple and effective way.

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